Ninety years ago, Winther Bikes began when a Danish blacksmith named Anders Winther began making tricycles for children. Now run by his great-grandchildren, Winther continues to offer high-quality cycles for families.

Expanding from children’s trikes to cargo bikes, Winther offers several models of e-assist trikes to safely and comfortably carry passengers, pets, and goods.

We had the opportunity to test out the Winther e-Cargoo, an e-assist cargo trike capable of carrying up to five small children, two big kids, or even an adult. With a variety of seating options in the impact-resistant ABS plastic front cargo area, along with optional Cargo Hood for added protection, the e-Cargoo can comfortably accommodate passengers ranging from infants to adults

Seating options include: a foldable bench with your choice of two five-point harnesses or one lap belt; rear-facing, reclined baby seat with faux sheepskin cover; single or double molded plastic seats with five-point harnesses; and the Maxi Cosi carseat base. The rack over the rear wheel is sturdy enough to support an additional child seat such as the Bobike Maxi.

The “tadpole” design (two wheels in the front and one wheel at the back) makes for an extremely stable ride, especially at low speeds. No matter how wiggly the kids get up front, the Winther Cargoo stays the course.

Ideal for inexperienced or nervous riders, the e-Cargoo is also fun for seasoned cyclists as well. With a surprisingly tight turning radius and well-proportioned front “bucket,” the e-Cargoo with one of the smallest turning circles on the market is easy to navigate through narrow bike lanes, around curbside cafes, and into crowded garages.

No kids to carry? The front cargo area has 278 litres of capacity, similar to the trunk of a small- to medium-sized car and an overall maximum capacity of 200kg including box and rider. We tested a variety of loads, including a Costco run for a family of five, bags of soil and plants from the nursery, two large and energetic dogs, and even our Christmas tree! The e-Cargoo carried it all with ease. In fact, the bike handles best when it has a big load up front.

The Shimano STePS E6100 motor delivers 250 watts of power with a maximum torque of 60Nm, making it easy to pedal even the heaviest loads uphill or into a headwind. The e-assist feels natural and smooth, thanks to the mid-drive placement and the Shimano Di2 electric shifting which is exact, accurate and works all winter. We also loved the automatic gear shifting option via the Shimano internal Nexus 5 hub and the feature that returns the bike to first gear when stopped - no more struggling to get going after a sudden stop!

The 504Wh Li-ION battery, tucked between the rear wheel and rear rack, has a range of 50-125km on a single charge, depending on weather conditions, load, and terrain. Charging takes only a few hours, and automatically powers down when the battery is full.

Safety is the number one priority for Winther, and the cabin is designed to absorb and distribute shock to minimize impact to passengers and rider. The aluminum rollbars offer head protection in case of tipping, while also supporting the weather-proof Cargo Cover which has reflective details for extra visibility at night. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes provide secure, stable stopping power no matter the load or weather conditions.

It should come as no surprise that a company whose name means “winter” in Danish would make a cargo trike that excels in snowy conditions. The Shimano internal Nexus 5 hub is protected from the elements, and the chain is enclosed to keep it clean and free of salty slush. The hydraulic disc brakes and Di2 electronic shifting won’t freeze up in sub-zero temperatures, and the aluminum frame won’t rust if left outdoors in all weather.

The three-wheeled design is stable in icy and slushy conditions, making it the safest choice for the “wintry mix” of weather common in northern cities. With integrated front/rear LED lighting and fenders, a kid's step, and an Abus Cafe lock, you're ready for any journey or adventure.

This spacious, capable, all-season e-cargo trike offers a fun and healthy alternative to the family car. It’s an investment in an active, eco-friendly mode of transportation that will pay for itself in gas and maintenance savings - and bring smiles everywhere you go.

The SRP starts at $12,799 CDN and for more information please visit here.

(Toronto, ON) If you want to get around a city with ease, throw a leg over an e-bike. But if you’ve got kids to shuttle around the ideal cycling solution is an e-cargo bike and we were stoked to test Trek’s new Fetch+ 4 that’s destined to replace a car in your daily life.

It’s easy to see how cargo bikes are part of the mobility transformation as my kids loved jumping into the front cargo box for an up-front adventure. The two built-in EVA seats feature a nifty ability to recline in three positions (upright, chill mode, and sleep mode), and come with five-point safety harnesses and headrests which can be easily removed and stored. Custom options include a child bench, infant seat adapters, and a fully-enclosed rainfly which can double as a sun-shade during hot summer days.

The maximum cargo box weight of 175 lbs. (80kg) means that up to five children can be whisked around, and the total max capacity is 551 lbs (250kg). The sturdy box is made of strong polyethylene plastic (PE) and my crew was always comfortable and eager to hop on board. When I’d tell them to load up, indicating the Fetch+ instead of the car, they’d burst into smiles and cheers and tumble up and over the sides of the bucket.

Powered by a 250W Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive motor that features 85Nm of torque, the low-maintenance Gates CDX belt drive helps to smoothly get you up to speed. The rear wheel features a unique Enviolo internal gear hub with an over 380% gear range to tackle virtually any hill. What’s unique is that it’s an infinitely variable resistance hub so there is no indexing in the twist grip shifter. Ease off of the power, adjust the shifter to increase or decrease the resistance and then start pedaling again. 

The drivetrain is very smooth and quiet, and I’d start the Fetch+ 4 rolling in an easy gear, and then twist to a higher level of resistance to get up to speed. That’s when the kids really fell in love with this e-cargo bike. They’d lean forward and tuck their noses up to the front of the box. It felt as though were cruising via a land speeder in a sci-fi movie. 

Operating the electronics is a breeze as the Bosch smart system is activated by a switch on the same controller that changes the levels of assistance. The colour display indicates how much assistance is being provided with red being the fastest and most aggressive. 

I usually rode a level or two down from the top as it provided more than enough extra speed in bike lanes. Step the Fetch+ 4 into traffic, switch up into the red zone, and this e-cargo bike will easily maintain its 32kph limit. 

Also on the controller is a five-level indicator for the massive 750Wh Bosch Power Tube battery. If you’re running top-level assistance and climbing hills on your errands, you can still add in some bike paths, playgrounds, a snack and whatever else you fancy for a full Saturday loop, as the battery has ample capacity. It takes about six hours to fully recharge the battery.

Like any new ride, and for those who aren’t used to a box-style bike, it takes a bit of time to get comfortable. The low center of gravity and cable steering keep things stable, and the front wheel turns a bit less than the input on the handle bar. 

After a few rides I was able to slalom the Fetch+ 4 around potholes and could do tight slow speed turns with ease. Given the size of e-cargo bikes you also need to more attentive at higher speeds as the smaller front wheel can wander slightly from side to side - not a big deal as you always need to be paying attention anyways.

Keep in mind that like all front box e-cargo bikes it’s big and practically fills the bike lane, so if you come up on a slower rider, you’ll need to be patient until you’re able to safely pass them. Also in narrow bike lanes between parked cars and the curb, it takes a little more input than a standard bicycle. 

The stock Schwalbe Pick-Up reflective tires, Tektro 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 2.3mm thick rotors, and SR Suntour Mobie front shock with 50mm of travel are all excellent. I never had an issue with traction, accelerating or stopping. Even doing a rolling gravel path there were never issues with traction. 

On one outing we had to make a sudden full stop as a vehicle turned left into the lane from the oncoming direction, and the Fetch+ 4 stayed straight and upright with no skidding, while the kids were held securely in place via the harnesses.

We loved the front shock as well as it took on expansion cracks, potholes and speedbumps with ease to keep things smooth for the passengers. 

There’s an abundance of standard equipment on the bike including commuter-friendly custom fenders, front/rear lights that come on with the motor, and a bell. Plus there’s a Bosch SmartphoneGrip holder with built in charger. 

Surprisingly there is a TranzX dropper post, something usually found on mountain bikes. I found it useful when the e-cargo bike was coming to a stop as the dropper post allows the seat to be lowered so that my feet could come down more easily to stabilize things.

On the back is a frame-integrated Bontrager rear rack with a 27kg weight limit that works with accessories from the MIK line of equipment. My dream scenarios included making use of the rear rack as a third seat for an easy on/off platform for an additional passenger, or mounting an extra storage box when the front box was fully loaded with passengers. 

All of this equipment is all available through Trek’s MIK ecosystem which is the beautiful thing about this multi-purpose e-cargo bike – most everyone can find a way to fit it into their routine. 

The built-in Abus rear ring lock let’s you make quick pits stops and the Bosch Connect module allows you to activate the system’s eBike alarm via the Flow App for extra anti-theft protection.

When the bike is parked, the Fetch custom double leg kick-stand keeps the e-cargo bike secure and stable for loading and unloading - kids can easily climb over the sides without the rider having to balance the bike. 

The only issue that I came across was the battery cover, as it’s held on by magnets, and it can easily get dislodged by knee contact when getting on and off of the e-cargo bike.

It’s exciting that a mainstream manufacturer like Trek has entered the e-cargo bike market which signals interest and growth in this utility segment of the bicycle market. 

I can’t say enough how much the kids loved this e-cargo bike, and being up front to enjoy every adventure. This is a homerun of a bike as literally a family could be transported to a ball game using it. 

Trek has included so many useful details that make the Fetch+ 4 a treat to operate and anyone that owns this e-cargo bike will be looking for opportunities to ride it.

The SRP is $10,999 and for more information click here.

To some, an e-cargo bike is more than just a great way of getting from A to B. It’s embracing the green movement, a philosophical commitment, an adventure, and an efficient and fun way to move people and gear. The Benno Boost e-cargo bike encompasses all of this, and more. 

Benno Bikes was founded in 2015 by Benno Baenziger, who is originally from Berlin, Germany. In the early 90s Baenziger followed his heart to California where he co-founded Electra Bikes, and the Electra Townie became the biggest selling model in the USA. 

At Electra, he was also part of developing their innovative Flat Foot Technology, a process which slightly modified the frame geometry for a more natural riding position, allowing people’s feet to touch the ground when starting and stopping. After moving on from Electra, this was just one of the concepts that he brought over to Benno Bikes.

Another innovation was the creation of a new e-bike category dubbed Etility, where agility meets utility, with the aim to inspire and empower people to ride more. Etility combines design and philosophy, to engineer an e-cargo bike with good handling, performance, comfort, the ability to carry heavy loads, and be good looking as well.  

The Benno Boost embraces all of these aspects as the 126 mm riser handlebars reach out to you, and place you in an upright position. The wider platform Benno Endurance saddle, complete with rear handle, provides optimal sit bone support. This positioning allows good visual capability in traffic along with balanced support, especially when carrying heavy loads.  

The 6061 Aluminum Alloy Easy On frame, with overside tubes and sloping downtube, makes getting on and off the Boost a breeze. This one-size frame allows shorter family members to ride as well with just a seat-post adjustment. The Boost also comes in a regular frame design, along with a choice of six colours.

Our test model was powered by Bosch’s reliable 250W Performance CX Gen 4 motor. This proven pedal-assist system is a perfect match for e-cargo bikes as it provides 85Nm of torque and ensures you get moving quickly from a standstill. 

The 500 Wh Lithium-Ion battery provides up to 130 km of range, while the assist mode features five power levels, controlled by the bar-mounted Bosch Purion display computer.

Carrying a moderate load and using the top two pedal-assist levels, I was able to ride up to about 70 km before having to re-charge. You can also extend the range by adding an additional battery to the mounts on the downtube.

The Boost is equipped with a quality Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain. The gearing of the 48T front cog and 11-42T cassette makes it easier to keep the cadence high while maximizing the pedal assist, especially on hills or under load.

The Magura MT Thirty hydraulic disc brakes were strong and silent, with an aesthetic 2-finger lever design.  The shorter and wider 24”x2.6” custom Benno Dual Sport tires enhanced the fit and control of the ride and definitely helped to smooth out road chatter.

Out on the road the Benno Boost proved to be a more than capable performer, even while carrying a heavy load. I particularly liked how nimble the handling felt while sitting in a very upright, comfort-driven position. It was a bonus having the proven predictability of the Bosch Performance CX motor which complimented the philosophy and engineering that’s instilled in Benno’s Etility DNA.

Having the ability to carry passengers comfortably is one of the greatest attributes of e-cargo bikes. My grade 10 daughter, with a 130-pound weight rating, is still perfect game and while she pretends not to like me picking her up from school on test bikes, I know deep down that she loves the ride. 

That includes my svelte, sub-130 pound wife, which made date nights out on the Benno, a whole new world of fun. If this was my personal e-cargo bike, I would install a wheel guard and rack pad and have it set-up to carry a single person.

The Benno Boost comes stock with rear rack, fenders, and Supernova Mini 2 front/E3 rear lights. Our test model came with a number of optional accessories including a Sport Front Tray, Utility Front Tray Bag, High Rail and Utility Pannier Bags. 

The Sport Front Tray was bright red, which added an attractive pop to the grey anthracite-coloured test e-cargo bike. The Utility Front Bag has massive space and easily rolled down to be secured with Velcro and clips when riding.

The rear rack coupled with the High Rail offered ample space for securing a variety of items including my large garbage bag full of recycling that I took to the depot. The diameter of the rack bars are just the right size to hook a standard bungee cord. An added bonus for both the Sport Front Tray and High Rail is that they are allow you to fit a standard size milk crate - a time-tested bike-carrying accessory that’s doesn’t fit on all e-cargo bikes. 

The Utility Pannier Bags each hold 30 litres, and easily managed my shopping bags full of food without having to unload and re-organize. Plus, you can roll and secure the panniers covers in an open position to extend the size of the bags as needed.

The maximum gross weight for the Boost is 440lb / 200kg (rider, bike, cargo) and for the rear rack it’s 130lb / 60kg.

A dual kickstand does not come as a stock item but is highly recommended. Our test model came equipped with one, and while not as robust as some e-cargo bike kick stands, it did the job.

If you’re in the market for a comfortable, great handling e-cargo bike that can maximize your transportation needs, including children, pets, groceries and date night adventures, then the Benno Boost might be the ride you’ve been looking for.

The SRP for the Boost CX is $7,100 and for more information please visit here.